Rather than simply being burnt, oil is now increasingly
used for other purposes through petrochemistry.
With the use of natural gas, it allows the production of plastics, fibres,
rubbers, synthetic detergents, fertilisers, solvents, pesticides, medicines
and many other products with an incommensurable added value over combustion.

These products are used in a wide range of contexts,
from daily life (plastic containers, furniture, coatings), to advanced technology
(computer parts, materials for aerospace industry), public works (permeable
felt, watertight films), human and animal health (syringes), transport (tyres,
paint) and many other sectors. Certain products such as
anti-adherents or dispersants
can even assist in oil or chemical spill response.

Others, however, like pesticides can themselves be sources of water pollution
in the event of inappropriate usage. Plastic bags and bottles can also become
pollutants if they are dumped in the environment or accidentally dropped
into a river or the sea.